On Nov. 27, the RCMP confirmed the remains have been positively identified by the BC Coroners Service as Lawrence Maitland, who was reported missing in July 2019.

Maitland was last seen between July 17 and 18, 2019 on Victoria Street in Lax Kw’alaams at approximately 2 p.m. His disappearance was considered suspicious at the time and the North District Major Crimes Unit launched an initial investigation and will continue to investigate.

On Nov. 25, PRGSAR and Terrace Search and Rescue were called out to Lax Kw’alaams for a specialized evidence search to assist with the investigation. Both teams conducted a rigorous Type III closed grid search along a designated beach area and the adjacent forest terrain.

PRGSAR stated that the team is deeply committed to supporting the RCMP’s investigative efforts.

“[We will] utilize our specialized skills to help bring resolution and closure to the family and community of Lax Kw’alaams,” PRGSAR added.

The Lax Kw’alaams Fire Department also provided logistical support to both teams during the search efforts.

“We extend our gratitude to the RCMP for their professional direction and cooperation throughout the search,” PRGSAR stated. “PRGSAR is proud to stand by our law enforcement partners in complex inquiries such as this.”

No further information is available at this time, according to RCMP Cpl. Madonna Saunderson.

While both communities issued a joint statement emphasizing their shared success in developing large-scale resource projects, the Haisla Nation reaffirmed its opposition to oil pipelines and export facilities, while the District of Kitimat remained neutral on the issue. In an interview following the release, Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth said the District is not ruling out future proposals, including oil, if they align with environmental and community standards.

“I’m not going to say anything is off the table. I wouldn’t say no to anything until something is in front of us so we can see what it is,” Germuth said following the Nov. 25 meeting. “But if someone was to just dust off the old Northern Gateway [pipeline] and put that on the table, you’re probably going to get the same ‘no’ you had last time. But is there another way? I don’t know yet.”

Germuth added the meeting with Smith had been months in the making and was unrelated to Alberta’s current proposal or a pending memorandum of understanding with the federal government. He said the conversation focused on possible collaboration to get Alberta goods — such as food products, ammonia and potash — to tidewater via Kitimat, describing the meeting as a response to broader trade challenges, including tariffs imposed by the United States.

“It had nothing to do with the MOU,” Germuth said. “We didn’t really discuss any pipelines, but talked about everything else we might be able to do together.”

The Haisla Nation, meanwhile, used the opportunity to reiterate its longstanding opposition to any oil pipeline or export terminal in its territory — a stance first taken more than a decade ago during the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline debate.

That message was reinforced in a statement from the Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative, of which Haisla is a member.

“As the Rights and Title Holders of the Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii, we are here to remind the Alberta government, the federal government, and any potential private proponent that we will never allow oil tankers on our coast, and that this pipeline project will never happen,” said Marilyn Slett, president of the Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative and elected chief of the Heiltsuk Nation.

The joint statement from Haisla Nation and the District of Kitimat focused on their track record of supporting “nation-building” developments — including LNG Canada, Cedar LNG, Coastal GasLink and the Rio Tinto BC Works facility — and invited potential partners to bring forward projects that reflect the community’s values of “collaboration, environmental protection, and Indigenous leadership.”

But the statement also acknowledged a clear difference on oil development

“The Haisla Nation, who were firmly against [Northern Gateway] at that time, still maintain that same position today regarding an oil pipeline and export facility in their territory. This position was articulated clearly to Premier Smith during the meeting.”

Alberta’s renewed push to reach tidewater has added urgency to the discussion. Smith’s government recently submitted a pipeline proposal to the federal Major Projects Management Office, seeking to fast-track a project that would require expanded port facilities in either Kitimat or Prince Rupert — and a partial repeal of the federal Oil Tanker Moratorium Act (Bill C-48), which currently prohibits large crude oil tankers from B.C.’s North Coast.

Alberta has allocated $14 million for early-stage planning, including routing and engineering, but has said a private-sector partner would need to take over construction and operation. The province is positioning the project as a national economic priority to reduce Canada’s reliance on U.S. markets and open access to global buyers.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to travel to Calgary tomorrow, Nov. 27, which is fueling speculation that he will announce a formal agreement on the proposed MOU with Alberta. The B.C. government has said it remains in the dark about the document’s details and has criticized the federal process for excluding affected communities.

Premier David Eby has previously dismissed the Alberta proposal as lacking a route, a partner, or local legitimacy. He called it “not a real project” and said it raises serious concerns around Indigenous rights and environmental protections.

For many on the B.C. coast, the situation recalls the Northern Gateway pipeline — a proposal to transport 525,000 barrels of diluted bitumen per day from Bruderheim, Alberta, to a new marine terminal in Kitimat. That project was overturned in 2016 after the Federal Court of Appeal found Indigenous communities had not been adequately consulted.

A plebiscite held in Kitimat in 2014 resulted in a majority of voters opposing Northern Gateway, and the debate at the time deeply divided the community. Online forums suggest those divisions are resurfacing as speculation grows around the Alberta-Ottawa MOU.

Despite leaving the door open, Germuth said any future proposal would need to meet strict environmental criteria and offer clear local benefits.

“We’re as concerned and protective of our environment as anyone else,” he said. “There would have to be something in there [a proposal] that would bring us from the previous ‘no’ to something we could say yes to. But what is that? I don’t know.”

Volunteers were treated to a dinner earlier this month for their hard work, which includes running the thrift shop, New to You, and the gift shop at the hospital.

Total Purchases made in 2025 totalled $287,750 from the local auxiliary.

Purchases for the Bulkley Valley District Hospital:

Pediatric Colonoscope: OR $41,205

Thermometers x 6: ER $4,729

ECG 15-Lead Cardiac Arrythmia Simulator $1,708

Exam lights x4: Maternity $7,255

Cardiac monitors: OR Recovery/Daycare $77,943

Exam tables: Visiting Specialist Office $48,335

Sim Man Essential Patient Simulator $63,572

Purchases for the Bulkley Lodge:

Topaz 8 alternating airflow mattress $3,354

ROHO Cushion single Valve 18×20 $1,041

ROHO Cushion Single Valve 18×18 $950

ROHO Cushion Single Valve 16×18 $950

ROHO Pressure Relieving Sections with External Foam Mattress $4,857

Various types of seatbelts and pieces $4,425

Purchases made for the Smithers Community Health Services:

2 mobile exam room lights $910

Wound Vac $22,500

4 bariatric waiting room chairs $3,702

2 bedside tables $307

White Wilderness Heliskiing has been operating on the Skeena River Lodge property just north of Usk since 2016, offering luxury heliskiing adventures to high-end clients.

Located in the Agricultural Land Reserve, the Skeena River Lodge was approved by the ALC in 2010 as a fly-fishing operation for 8-10 guests annually between March and November.

According to the ALC decision, when the property changed hands in 2013, it consisted of a log principal residence, detached garage, two storage sheds (one of which was later converted to a smokehouse), a fly-tying shop, a guest house, a guest cabin, and six seasonal cabins.

At that time, all of the existing buildings had been approved for the seasonal fishing operation.

Sometime between then and 2020, the new owner, listed only as Skeena Salmon Lodge Holdings Ltd., changed the uses of some of the buildings, including converting the existing residence into the Main Lodge, where guests dine.

The guest house was converted to staff accommodations, and the fly-tying shop was expanded and converted to guest accommodations. It is now known as the East Lodge.

The company also added new structures, including a new principal residence, two staff cabins, a hot tub, a wood-fired sauna, and four ATCO-style trailers for additional staff accommodation.

The company now hosts up to 24 guests for heliskiing adventures between December and March.

The land commission became aware of the modified and new structures and uses after the company added the four ATCO trailers in 2020.

The decision states that, while conducting a site visit, the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine advised the company that a building permit and ALC approval were required for the trailers.

In reviewing the application to retain the trailers, the commission identified the other structures and modified uses as potentially requiring ALC approval.

Between 2021 and 2025, the commission’s North Panel conducted a review of a proposal to retain the new and modified buildings, as well as the heliskiing operation.

The Agricultural Land Commission Act (ALCA) permits only one principal residence. If an owner wants to add a new principal residence, it must either remove the existing one or seek approval to convert it to farm use.

While the original principal residence had been approved for non-farm use (i.e., guest dining), with the construction of a new residence, it no longer conforms to the ALCA regulations.

The panel also found that the new principal residence extended to an area of the western part of the property that had never had any structures for non-farm purposes. The panel said it would prefer if all non-farm uses were kept on the eastern portion of the property.

Nevertheless, the commission gave the owner the choice of which residence to remove. However, if it chooses the new residence, it is not approved for guest dining. In that case, the decision said the company could use the East Lodge, or another approved existing accommodation building, for guest dining.

The panel was amenable to allowing some of the other unapproved buildings to remain.

“Recognizing that the 2010 Decision contemplated ongoing use of the Property for seasonal tourist accommodation, the Panel is willing to permit some of the unauthorized structures to remain where their construction would not impact the potential of the remainder of the Property to be used for farm use,” the 2025 decision stated.

This includes the East Lodge, the guest house, the six cabins, the two staff cabins, the hot tub, the sauna, and the smokehouse.

The ALC was not amenable to the ATCO trailers and ordered their removal.

It also denied the use of the property for the heliskiing operation.

“The Panel considered that the addition of heli-skiing would prioritize non-farm use of the Property year-round,” the decision stated.

“The panel noted that the year-round non-farm use and increased income from non-farm uses would make it less likely that the property is farmed in the long term.

“It would also further increase the property value, making it less likely to be returned to agriculture if it is sold in the future. The panel also considered that the year-round use, increase in the number of guests, and the noise from the helicopters increases [sic] the potential for conflict with current and future agricultural uses in the area.”

The commission gave White Wilderness until Nov. 7 to shut down the heliskiing operation.

Other key dates include:

May 7, 2026: Submission deadline for a restrictive covenant prohibiting construction of residential or non-farm structures on the western portion of the property and submission of a reclamation plan by a certified agrologist.

May 7, 2026: Removal of the Main Lodge or new principal residence, and ATCO trailers.

May 7, 2031: Completion of reclamation.

Skeena Salmon Lodge Holdings has yet to respond to a Black Press Media request for comment.

Ksan Society in Terrace and the Elizabeth Fry Society in Burns Lake will receive a $25,000 share of $400,000 in national funding, distributed as part of the company’s ongoing initiative to assist individuals affected by domestic and family violence.

This marks the sixth consecutive year Rio Tinto has contributed to organizations across Canada providing shelter, counselling, education, training and support services for women, children and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The funding aligns with the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

Rio Tinto Aluminium and Lithium Chief Executive Jérôme Pécresse said the company’s commitment to safety begins with its own workforce. “This same priority extends to the communities around our operations. Gender-based violence has significant impacts on individuals and families, and organisations across Canada provide critical assistance to those affected. Through this initiative, we are contributing to the work they do to protect individuals and strengthen community resilience.”

Since 2020, Rio Tinto has provided $2.335 million in funding to Canadian organizations through this initiative.

The funding has supported efforts to modernize safety tools and protocols, improve access to information and resources, and amplify public awareness about intimate partner violence. Company involvement is also seen as sending a strong message that victims are not alone and that support is available.

Rio Tinto says it also offers internal support measures for employees experiencing gender-based violence. These include additional paid leave, emergency accommodation, financial assistance, and access to training to help colleagues provide safe and appropriate support when needed.

“Recognizing domestic violence is critical and can help save a life. If someone shares that they have been experiencing domestic violence, it is important to respond in a way to help that is safe, respectful, and centered on their needs,” the company stated.

Resources on how to support people experiencing domestic violence can be found here.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that runs each year from Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to Dec. 10, Human Rights Day. Launched in 1991 by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, the campaign is a global call to end violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. It is supported by organizations, governments, and institutions around the world, who use the 16 days to raise awareness, promote advocacy, and share strategies for preventing and eliminating gender-based violence.

During the most recent CMTN Board of Governors closed-door meeting, the board reviewed and agreed to the recommendation to sell the Hazelton campus building and land following its closure next summer.

On Oct. 20, CMTN announced that the Hazelton campus will cease operations as of June 30, 2026, as part of the plan to lower overhead costs.

CMTN is now working with the Government of B.C.’s Ministry of Infrastructure to sell the Hazelton campus to another government agency or public sector service provider. Proceeds from the sale will be put aside in retained earnings, to be used for future capital projects that will benefit students across northwest BC, as per provincial regulations.

The college will continue to provide educational opportunities in Hazelton and the surrounding areas through existing community spaces on an as-needed basis. The mobile training unit will also be deployed to the region for future trades and academic offerings.

Currently scheduled programs, including Introduction to Gitksanimx Language and Carpentry Foundations, will run as planned in 2026, providing there is sufficient enrolment.

Coast Mountain College has been sharing its plans to restructure and refocus operations within its operating budget with an overall reduction of $4 million, due to the sharp decline in international student enrolment.

Balancing the budget for 2026 has meant a 20 per cent workforce reduction across all employee groups and restructuring of operations across the college region.

On Sept 1, 2024, Bulkley Valley Search and Rescue responded to a late-night call for assistance near Witset. The subjects in need were located a few kilometres down a decommissioned logging road, so BVSAR members parked the vehicles and continued the journey using their side-by-side.

After providing assistance and confirming the subjects were unharmed, they returned to the parked vehicles and found their main rescue response truck destroyed by fire. All of its equipment and contents were lost.

BVSAR Admin Ruth Bredenhof said to make matters worse, their insurance provided minimal coverage, and they suffered great loss.

“We are thankful we did get a decent amount of coverage for the contents of the truck, but we still need to make up for a large shortfall,” she said.

“We are currently relying on the use of volunteers’ personal vehicles, so we are actively fundraising to replace the truck as soon as possible. We rely on the main rescue truck to transport our volunteers to the various call-out locations.”

The truck had a customized canopy that contained essential supplies and gear to help ensure the group can respond as effectively and in as timely a manner as possible, she added.

The truck also has a hitch and the ability to pull the group’s trailers with ATVs, snowmobiles, or a boat, as required by the type of call-out.

According to Brendenhof, details of the investigation have not been released to them yet, and she is unsure if it was vandalism or an electrical issue.

The money raised at last year’s Banff Mountain Film Festival by BVSAR volunteers went toward the truck replacement fund, and they are planning another film festival fundraiser in January 2026. Tickets will go on sale soon.

They have also been applying for grants from various companies and organizations.

BVSAR needs about $160,000 and so far have raised approximately $50,000.

Anyone wishing to donate can check out their website.

The investigation into the cause of the truck’s fire is still ongoing.

The deal, anounced Nov. 5, marks a major step in Pembina’s efforts to commercialize Cedar LNG, which it is developing in partnership with the Haisla Nation. Under the agreement, Pembina will provide transportation and liquefaction services to Petronas through a synthetic tolling structure, which Pembina says supports Petronas’ existing natural gas production operations in Canada.

“This agreement further validates Cedar LNG and highlights the strong demand for global export capacity given the clear advantages of Canadian West Coast LNG, including competitively priced feedstock and advantaged shipping distances to Asian markets,” said Stu Taylor, Pembina’s Senior Vice President & Corporate Development Officer.

Petronas, through its Canadian subsidiary, is already one of the largest natural gas producers in the country. The agreement secures a long-term outlet for its gas, while providing Pembina with a stable, take-or-pay revenue stream.

“This milestone reflects Petronas’ long-standing commitment to our investment in Canada and our continued effort to fortify our global LNG supply portfolio,” said Shamsairi M Ibrahim, Vice President of LNG Marketing and Trading, Petronas Gas and Maritime Business. “We welcome this partnership with Pembina and the Cedar LNG project, as it underscores Petronas’ role as an integrated energy player and demonstrates our dedication to responsibly monetize our gas resources.”

The agreement is also a key part of Pembina’s strategy to re-market 1.5 mtpa of capacity it committed to in June 2024 to help secure a final investment decision on Cedar LNG. With the Petronas deal now signed, Pembina expects to finalize arrangements for the remaining 0.5 mtpa by the end of 2025.

Cedar LNG is a US$4 billion floating liquefied natural gas project with Indigenous ownership through the Haisla Nation. It remains on schedule and on budget, with construction targeted for completion and in-service by late 2028.

This past weekend, fresh off upsetting the defending champion Terrace River Kings and edging their way into second place in the Central Interior Hockey League, the Wolverines rolled into Smithers for what should have been a relatively easy win.

The Steelheads had different ideas, though. They came out firing in the first period and claimed a 2-0 advantage on goals by Levi Olson and Dylan Oud.

Nathan Soucie added to the lead in the second period before Shea Baker scored Hazelton’s only goal of the game.

A scoreless third period made the final 3-1.

The win for Smithers put them within striking range of fifth place in the seven-team CIHL, just two points behind the Prince Rupert Rampage.

For Hazelton, it meant a short-lived stint in second place.

The previous weekend, they had edged the River Kings out of second place with a commanding 8-4 win in Terrace’s barn.

Quesnel leads the league with 16 points through eight games, holding an 8–2 record, followed by Terrace in second with 12 points from eight games.

Hazelton sits in third place with 11 points through nine games.

Williams Lake has played 10 games with 10 points and occupies the fourth spot.

Prince Rupert is two points behind in fifth place at eight points.

Smithers holds sixth place with six points, while Kitimat rounds out the standings without a win so far this season through nine games.

Lynn Van Cadsand is scooping up a $675,000 Set for Life prize – the game’s top prize.

She said she is headed straight for the appliance aisle to bring home the washing machine of her dreams.

She was at home in bed when she first discovered the surprising news after scanning her ticket on BCLC’s Lotto! App.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

Van Cadsand first shared the news with her husband, who also reacted with disbelief.

“He asked me what I meant, and then, when he realized, he was very excited,” she said.

According to a press release from BCLC, Van Cadsand has a few additional plans for her prize besides purchasing her new washing machine, including putting a portion of it toward her retirement and treating herself to a nice dinner in Victoria.

The winning ticket was purchased at Pharmasave on 4th Avenue in Smithers.